Control: Like all true greats, Messi doesn't need one touch just to control the ball. Instead, his first touch often doubles as the opening stage of a goal-bound surge. Watch the way Messi accepts Thierry Henry's pass for the second of his three goals against Valencia earlier this month. By the time of his second touch, he is already five yards clear of the defender. Four touches later, the ball is nestling in the corner of the net